CALUX
(Environmental Technology)
Tech
What is CALUX?
Chemical Activated LUciferase gene eXpression (CALUX) is a ligand-dependent nuclear receptor-based bioassay used in the detection of specific chemicals or classes of chemicals in samples. It consists of a modified cell line that has been stably transfected with a DNA construct with a luciferase reporter gene under control of receptor-specific DNA response elements that can stimulate transcription of the inserted luciferase gene and produce the light-generating enzyme which can be easily measured. The DNA response elements can be varied in order to provide binding sites for other receptors that are regulated by a chemical or class of chemicals of interest that want to be detected. Thus, numerous CALUX bioassays have been developed for detection of diverse chemicals of interest. Most applications have been directed toward the detection of environmentally harmful chemicals, such as those affecting the endocrine system (environmental hormones). CALUX is an effect based screening method as it measures the total effect ligands (from a sample) have on a specific receptor. Unlike chemical analysis, CALUX is thus able to measure total activity on the receptor of interest. This includes both identified and unidentified activators (agonists) and inhibitors (receptor antagonists).